Start with where you need to arrive in France, then compare the departure port and the complete journey. Dover offers short crossings to Calais and Dunkirk; Newhaven and the western Channel ports can put you closer to Normandy or Brittany. Your travel type matters just as much: foot passengers cannot book every car-ferry service.
Compare the routes
Use the live form to check current sailings, fares, passengers and vehicle options.
Check the selected route, passengers, vehicle details and travel date before completing the reservation.
Compare Dover–Calais across P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. Dover–Dunkirk is a DFDS alternative with a different onward road journey. Include approach traffic, border processing and disembarkation when comparing the roughly 90–100-minute Calais crossings with about two hours to Dunkirk.
Compare Newhaven–Dieppe with Portsmouth–Caen and Portsmouth–Cherbourg. Caen ferries actually arrive at Ouistreham; the city railway station requires a transfer. Dieppe and Cherbourg also need terminal-to-station planning. Your final destination should decide how much driving a western crossing saves.
Compare Portsmouth–St Malo and Plymouth–Roscoff using the seasonal calendar. A longer sea journey can replace road miles, while an overnight cabin can change the useful arrival time. The published Poole–St Malo service runs via Guernsey, so check every leg and the total elapsed time.
P&O carries foot passengers on selected Dover–Calais sailings; DFDS and Irish Ferries do not offer ordinary foot travel from Dover. Newhaven–Dieppe and eligible Brittany passenger sailings are alternatives. SailLink is a small seasonal sailing service for people and bicycles, with different access and baggage limitations.
Each port pair links to separate outbound and return guides. Crossing times are planning guidance, not a live timetable; use the dated sailing for the exact departure, arrival and availability.
| Crossing guides, both directions | Operator information | Crossing by departure direction | Passenger planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover → Boulogne-sur-Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer → Dover | SailLink |
| Seasonal — check operating dates
|
| Portsmouth → Caen Caen → Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
| Dover → Calais Calais → Dover | P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
| Portsmouth → Cherbourg Cherbourg → Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
| Newhaven → Dieppe Dieppe → Newhaven | DFDS |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
| Dover → Dunkirk Dunkirk → Dover | DFDS |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
| Plymouth → Roscoff Roscoff → Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Seasonal — check operating dates
|
| Poole → St Malo St Malo → Poole | Brittany Ferries (Condor) |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
| Portsmouth → St Malo St Malo → Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Check dated sailing availability
|
Use identical travel dates, passenger ages and vehicle dimensions when comparing operators. A roof box, rear cycle rack, trailer or motorhome can change the vehicle category. Add the cabin or seat you actually want, pet accommodation, flexibility and any meals you would otherwise buy.
Then add the drive or rail connection to each port, parking if you are leaving a car behind, and transport after landing. An inexpensive short crossing can lose its advantage if it adds a long drive or an overnight hotel. The route tables here compare the product; the booking form supplies the fare for your dates.
For a return trip, check each direction separately. Daytime and overnight patterns differ, and French local time is normally one hour ahead of UK time. The useful comparison is when you reach your destination, not simply the time printed next to arrival at the port.
Book the travel category explicitly. A bicycle booking can be accepted where an ordinary walk-on ticket is not; DFDS’s Dover routes are an example. Confirm terminal shuttles, bicycle handling and luggage before choosing onward trains.
Compare accommodation for your party and the time at which the cabin becomes available. A daytime ticket, reserved seat and private overnight cabin are different products. Leave a margin for unloading before the first road or rail connection in France.
Reserve the correct pet space before paying for the rest of the trip. Rules vary by operator, ship and whether you travel on foot, with a bicycle or in a vehicle. Ask for assistance in advance if a shuttle, gangway or boarding walk may be difficult.
Check passport, visa or travel-authorisation needs for each traveller’s nationality and residence, as well as the carrier’s boarding conditions. France is in the Schengen area; requirements for a visit to Ireland are different. Follow the current operator instructions for border processing and reporting time.
Poole–Cherbourg and Portsmouth–Le Havre have ended. Plymouth–St Malo is currently unavailable; compare a bookable alternative before planning the trip. SailLink’s 2026 season has finished. Closed or unavailable guides remain listed separately so travellers can find replacement crossings.
| Crossing guides, both directions | Operator information | Crossing by departure direction | Passenger planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poole → Cherbourg Cherbourg → Poole | Brittany Ferries |
| Service ended — see alternatives
|
| Portsmouth → Le Havre Le Havre → Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Service ended — see alternatives
|
| Plymouth → St Malo St Malo → Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Currently unavailable — see alternatives
|
Travel guidance checked against published information from P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries / Condor, SailLink, Port of Dover, Port Boulogne Calais. The selected sailing and operator confirmation determine availability, fare, vessel and reporting time.
How FerryEU checks its guides · Report an information correction
Official route and travel information:
The best route depends on your starting point, destination in France and travel type. Compare Dover for northern France, Newhaven or Portsmouth for Normandy, and Portsmouth or Plymouth for Brittany. Include the road or rail journey after landing.
Dover–Calais is the shortest sea crossing among the regular car-ferry routes compared here: P&O and Irish Ferries advertise about 90 minutes and DFDS about 100 minutes. Check-in, border controls and onward travel add to the total journey.
Yes, on eligible services. P&O offers selected Dover–Calais foot sailings, DFDS carries foot passengers on Newhaven–Dieppe, and Brittany accepts them on bookable passenger sailings. SailLink is seasonal. Do not assume a DFDS or Irish Ferries Dover car-ferry ticket can be booked without a vehicle.
Sometimes. DFDS accepts booked bicycles on its Dover routes even though ordinary foot-passenger bookings are not offered. Select the bicycle category and follow the operator’s rider, luggage and boarding conditions.
No. The Portsmouth–Caen ferry arrives at Ouistreham on the coast, about 15 kilometres north of Caen. A journey from Caen railway station requires a separate transfer.
The direct Poole–Cherbourg service closed in October 2026. Compare current Portsmouth–Cherbourg or Portsmouth–Caen options, or a bookable Poole–St Malo itinerary if its calling pattern suits the trip.
This guide explains the differences between crossings. Use the booking search with your dates, passengers, vehicle and accommodation to obtain a current fare and availability.
Yes. Duration, departure time, cabin needs and onward transport can differ by direction. Read the booking’s local times and check both terminal transfers before confirming the return trip.
